Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Marrion]

[1] I wish Sarah would be here now.
[2] I wish Sarah were here now.
==================================

What is the difference between [1] and [2]?

I want to know the details of the difference.

[Ozabout7or8]

Hello Marrion,

To answer your question: "wish" and "would be" are the exact same meaning in this sentence.

You can use "wish", "would", "could" or "was" to take the place of "is" in a conditional sentence such as this. These words can all follow "If..." or "I wish...".

Let me show you:

I wish...

[1] I wish Sarah were here now.
[2] I wish Sarah would be here.
[3] I wish Sarah could be here now.
[4] I wish Sarah was here.

If...

[5] If Sarah was here now....then...
[7] If Sarah could be here now...then...
[8] If Sarah was here now...then...

All of these are correct. Some have slightly different meanings but the are all acceptable English.
_________________
Ozabout7or8

[Marrion]

[Marrion]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[1] I wish Sarah were here now.
[2] I wish Sarah would be here now.
[3] I wish Sarah could be here now.
[4] I wish Sarah was here now.
====================================
Among these sentences, what is the differences of the meanings of these sentences?